General Cycling Discussion - Has there ever been anywhere that was GOOD to get a flat?

Alright, very probably the stupidest question ever posed on this entire forum, but something on today's ride triggered a memory from about five years ago when I flatted while riding this tiny dirt road through the rainforest north of Murwillumbah. Honestly, it was such a beautiful place, I lingered for about half an hour before bothering to fix it and move on.

Has anybody else ever had a situation like that? I mean, flats are inevitable, but some places are better than others, right?

:confused:

The best place I ever got a flat was pulling into my lbs parking lot...:)...

Chris,

Glad you stopped to smell the roses bro'... Most people would'nt even be caught dead on a bicycle, much less actually appeasing our innate curiosities....

Mike

Just like Maelstrom, I got a flat right in front of my LBS. Not beautiful but practical.

Absolutely, I can totally relate. One time in Western North Carolina I got a flat after climbing 2000 feet of rocky terrain. Right as I got to the most scenic overlook, I hear the psssss sound, and sure enough I had gone flat. Well, it was the most spectacular overlook of Pisgah National Forest, and had I not gone flat, I would have blown right by without even noticing.

Originally posted by Chris L
Has anybody else ever had a situation like that? I mean, flats are inevitable, but some places are better than others, right?

:confused:



Dunno about flats, but I've ran out of petrol twice on the scooter while passing petrol stations..... and about 3 times when nowhere near one....ah well.... don't do that anymore!

Best place I gotta flat was in the door of my LBS. I smacked my rear tires somehow and it pinch flatted me.

The worst place I gotta flat was 35km outside of any town, or village or city or gas station. Luckily, I had spare tubes, and pump with me.

Hi,
last year, my sister's wheel died in Freeport, Maine. That's the home of LL Bean. In case any of you are unfamiliar, LL Bean sells clothing and sporting goods worldwide. They also have a well stocked bike shop, repair department,
a sandwich shop, and a book dept right next to the sandwiches. It might be pain having your bike break down, but being able to have a snack, and do a little reading doesn't hurt. Oh, there's also a shopping to be done there, as well.

I wanna get a flat in front of the house of this cute grad student girl I know ...

:)

alex.

Originally posted by Chris L
Alright, very probably the stupidest question ever posed on this entire forum, but something on today's ride triggered a memory from about five years ago when I flatted while riding this tiny dirt road through the rainforest north of Murwillumbah. Honestly, it was such a beautiful place, I lingered for about half an hour before bothering to fix it and move on.

Has anybody else ever had a situation like that? I mean, flats are inevitable, but some places are better than others, right?

:confused:

I did have a similar experience in a rainforest. I was exhausted and almost dead from dehydration (not literally just exagerating :D) and I layed down in the rain forest moss for a quick relax setting :)

My rack broke while on a tour of France and it happened in a place called the “Forest of Charms”, far from any bike shop I should add. There was a story posted on a sign about a fairy prince who lived in this forest and granted wishes to travelers who passed through this forest, well that’s what I gleaned from the French. Anyway, I was stuck in the middle of nowhere with my panniers rubbing against my tire and incapable of moving. So I found a picnic bench and was ready to set up camp and call it a day when I looked at the ground I saw a long piece of wire! So I was able to use the wire, a stick and duct-tape to repair the rack and was on my way in about an hour! The rack stayed together for the remaining five weeks of the trip I should add!

I haven't had a good experience, but I wouldn't mind getting a flat while riding by a beach that is populated with nice looking ladies. I wouldn't complain much.

On a week-long organized mountain bike tour in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, after 60 mile slog through pouring rains on muddy roads, I pulled into camp and just as I rolled past the mechanics' area, flatted. They were working under an awning. It was very convenient to buy a tube. I did the repair myself, but they let me stand under the awning, out of the rain, use their floor pump and a repair stand.

The worst flat I recall was on the Emma Carlin trails in Kettle Moraine State Park, Wisconsin. It was deep in the piney woods, and the repair was made considerably more difficult by the biting mosquitoes that swarmed around me.

The most scenic spot I ever flatted was probably on the Slickrock Trail in Moab. I had two flats and my pump blew up in my hands. Then I bent my granny chainring--the second one that week! But it was a beautiful warm spot in the red-rocked Mars-like landscape.

Quarter mile from home with no repair tools.

My best flat occurred on the furthest point in a 60 mile ride, I flatted, and my buddy and I stopped. This was when I was in college, and I was not yet 20. I was right in front of a lake with a picnic table. We stopped and he relaxed as I changed the tube. It was so beautiful and peaceful we decided to take a break and I patched the punctured tube as we sat. Nice breeze coming off the lake. Then, a family pulled up and was setting up to have a picnic on the next table. In the family, was a young woman and her friend. They came over and started talking to my buddy and I. Phone numbers exchanged, dates that next weekend! Whoo Hoo! We decided, that was the best flat a guy could ever get!

L8R

I flatted in front of The Black Bull Tavern in Toronto, Ontario. I walked in, ordered a pint, soaked up some sun on the patio, and repaired it.

The best flat ever!:beer:

I flatted in front of The Black Bull Tavern in Toronto, Ontario. I walked in, ordered a pint, soaked up some sun on the patio, and repaired it.

And the bikers didn’t laugh at you?

I got stranded there one night when the Queen w. streetcars stopped running during a slush storm.

:beer:

I flatted in my basement while riding my trainer. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Sailguy
I haven't had a good experience, but I wouldn't mind getting a flat while riding by a beach that is populated with nice looking ladies. I wouldn't complain much.

I hear ya! It's actually my intention to get a flat on the Esplanade in Surfers Paradise one day. Somehow I haven't managed it in eight years, despite all the broken glass I keep riding over! :cry:

Why do I get the feeling I shouldn't have posted that?

my best experience was when I was mudbogging with a friend through a giant puddle (pond really) and I got stuck, I also saw bubbles when I got stuck so I then surmised that I had a flat. well, my friend and I had a mudwar and went to the local park looking like a couple of mud people. It was great because there were some cute girls ther and some birthday party so we got all the attention =)

Best: I was awakened in bed by what sounded like a bottle rocket going off. I had my bike in the hallway with the bedroom door open and the rear tire just blew in the middle of the night. I had to repair it before my ride the next day but better at home than on the road. What a way to be woke up.

Best warning: While riding in the Hilly Hundred last year,I stopped to take a picture of my bike by a 'Rough Road Ahead' sign. I no sooner took off down a big hill past the sign and BOOM BOOM right into a big pothole. Before I could say Oh ....!, the rear tire went. :p